Punta Leona has one of the most important private reserves in Costa Rica’s Pacific Zone, principally because of its geographic location and conservation plan. This refuge was created 27 years ago and consists of 300 hectares (750 acres) of primary and secondary forest. The reserve is of great importance from a biological standpoint because it is one of the few remaining forests in the transitional life zone between the Dry Forest of the Northwest and the Rainforest of the Southwest.

During the last two decades, Punta Leona’s reserve has functioned primarily as a center for research on mammals and birds. Specifically, the conservation program introduced for scarlet macaws has received national attention.

Punta Leona is regarded as an excellent place for birdwatching with over 330 migratory and resident bird species , including the brilliant Scarlet Macaw, Marbled Wood-Quail, Three-wattled Bellbird, Toucans, Trogons, Manakins, Flycatchers, and Hummingbirds. The reserve is also home to white faced monkeys, spider monkeys, sloths, white-nosed coati mundi, tyras, raccoons, iguanas and a large number of butterflies.